I have been racking my brain on this ponderosa for some time now. It is one of those great situations where there are endless possibilities: no major root obstructions, all the branches are very pliable, and there is foliage everywhere. Here are a few different angles I examined...

With a little work, this would be the virtual for that angle...

A part of me really wants to take advantage of this snaking movement, however, the bark leaves a lot to be desired on this side.

And 3 other virtuals to choose from. Given that this is a ponderosa, the end result will be much "bushier" than these virtuals depict.

Your pick, thoughts, and suggestions would be tremendously appreciated.

In MY order of preference: 3, 4, and 1 . . . leaning heavily for 3 as the most likely to be a success, but I do like 4.

What a joy to have so many (and there probably are more!) options in a tree.

_________________Jim Lewis - lewisjk@windstream.net - Western NC - People, when Columbus discovered this country, it was plumb full of nuts and berries. And I'm right here to tell you the berries are just about all gone. Uncle Dave Macon, old-time country musician